Toothpick.



A. -G. PERKINS.

I TOOTHPICK. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 14. 1908.

91 1,068, Patented Feb. 2, 1909.

I Jim; fig/in):

- attoznaqo is a frusto-conical splitsleeve 8 prefera ADAM G.-PERKINS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

, roo'rnrrcx.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1909.

Application filed July 14, 1908. Serial No. 448,493.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADAM O. PERKINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Toothpick, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tooth picks and its. object is toprovide a 'com act, durable and attractive device of this 0 aracternutih' izing dental thread, the device being so sha ed and proportioned as to hold a s 001 of t read which can be unwound as use A- further object is to provide simple and eflicient means for fastening the thread in adjusted position.

A still further object is to provide a tooth pick which is so formed that a dental thread can be readily positioned therein ready for use. i

. With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of the inventionl In said drawings: Figure -1 is a perspective view of the device. Fig. 2 is a vertical section therethrough. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the clamping sleeve.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates the frusto-conical body of the device the same being provided with a neck 2 from which extends a yoke 3.

The body, neck and yoke are referably formed in a single piece of bone, ce luloid, or other suitable material. .The terminals of the yoke are provided with inclined slots 4 provided with s aced eyes 4'. Extending into the base or arge end of the body 1 is a cylindrical recess 5 designed to receive a, spool A on which a dental thread B is wound. The Wall of recess 5 has a radial slot 6 therein and a cork 7 mother suitable closure may be utilizedfor closing the-recess 5. As shown in the drawings slot 6'is disposed in the same plane with the spaced eyes 4'.

Movably mounted on the tapered bod 1 lily formed of spring metal and having an outwardl flared portion 9 at its small end constitutmg a finger piece. The slit 10in the sleeve is designed to be brought into register with slot 6 and the inner surface of the sleeve is preferably roughened as shown at 11 alplaced throug pact, and is thoroughly antiseptic.

. member slidab the body.

though it is tobe understood that if desired this roughened surface may be dispensed with. A retaining stop 12 extends radially from body 1 and is designed to limit the movement of sleeve 8 in one direction upon the body.

When it is desired to use this device the sleeve 8 is adjusted so as to brin slit 10 in register with the slot 6. A spoo of dental, thread is then placed in recess 5 with the thread extending through slot 6 and slit 1'0.

The cork or stop er 7 is then laced in the recess and the thread is pulle outward fromthe slot 6 and inserted in the spaced eyes 4'.

When a suflicient length of thread hasbeen unwound the sleeve 8 is rotated so as to bring the slit 10 in position coincidin with the slot 6. The end ortion of the t read is then the slit and the sleeve ispartly turned so that said end portion of the threadwill be positioned thereunder. Sleeve 8 is then pressed toward the large. end of body 1 and operates to bind tightly upon the thread at o posite sides of the body. The

thread will t us be held taut between the terminals of the oke andcan be inserted between the teet and worked back and forth.

By pressin the sleeve against stop 12 the thread is re eased and by ulling on the endof the thread a clean portion thereof can be brought into position Within the yoke. The

thread can be re-secured by shifting the sleeve into clamping position.

It will be seen that a device such as herein described is very simple, durable and com- It can be made of different materials and the appearance thereof can be changed to suit the tastes of the users. Various changes in 'thesizes andpro ortions of the parts can also be made within t e scope of the appended claims without. departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages of the invention.

tacle having an outlet, a yoke upon the b0 y and having s aced eyes, and a clamping yandrevolublymountedupon.

3. Atooth pick comprising a tapered body having a recess provided with an outlet, a closure for the recess, a yoke upon the body and having spaced eyes, and a clamping member slidably mounted on the body.

4. A tooth pick comprising a tapered body having a recess provided With an outlet, a c1osure for the outlet, thread supporting means upon the body and having spaced eyes, and a slotted tapering clamping member upon the body.

5. A tooth pick comprising a body having a recess provided with an outlet, a closure for the recess, thread supporting means upon the body and having spaced eyes in the same plane 'With the outlet, and thread clamping means, extending around the body and slidably mounted thereon.

6. A tooth pick comprising a body having a spool receiving recess provided with a thread outlet, a closure for the recess, thread supporting means upon the body and having spaced eyes, and a thread clamping member slidably mounted upon the body and extending therearound.

7. A tooth ick comprising a tapered bod having a spoo receiving recess provided Witli a thread outlet, a closure for the recess, thread supporting means upon the body and having spaced eyes, a longitudinally slotted tapering clamping sleeve movably mounted. upon the body, and a stop extending from the body.

8. A tooth pick comprising a body having a spool receivin recess provided with a thread outlet, a closure for the recess, thread supports upon the body and having spaced thread receiving openings, a longitudinally slotted clamping member movably mounted upon the body and having a roughened inner surface, and means for limiting'the movement of said member.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence oftwo Witnesses.

ADAM C. PERKINS.

Witnesses:

EUGENE K. STEWART, EMIL LARSON. 

